I have one of the early ACW Berdan packs. If I remember correctly, Paul said it was from the first run, and I absolutely love it - although it's definitely heavier than my double bag.

As to the mess kit, I bought mine through ACW at the same time as the pack. I say "through", because they don't produce the mess kit. It was drop shipped to me seperately from the pack by Dixie Tinworks (www.dixietinworks.com/Individual%20Item ... 20Kit.html). It has had some use, definitely not campaigner level. Thus far, all components have held up very well. I did modify the metal handle that's used for the fry pan, small boiler. It simply was too short and got too hot for what I considered healthy for my fingers.

I filed down the end like a knife tang, and took a piece of an ancient broom handle (narrower than most today) and drilled a slot to accept the tang. Adds a bit of non-conductive reach to the handle. And it's short enough that it lives in the mess kit. Along with a wooden spoon, and a small huck towel.

Take care of it like you would your tin cup or boiler and it'll serve just fine.

Paul does make some great hair trunks, have a couple in the unit right now having theirs made. They sure are nice and catch the attention of spectators and reenactors alike!

I have had mine since 2011 (bought it from money I made making pens on a lathe in the old high school wood shop... A LOT of freaking pens!) It has stood up to the rainy climate of the Pacific Northwest and looks to having more use. I just wanted to make sure the mess kit would stand up as well (with care of course) since Im going into the Marines ans will have to "pack light" and really campaign it at any event I get time to go to.

As for the new recruit, Im sure he will do just fine with us and look forward to marching with him at some point!

Sorry, I wanted to clarify something I said. I said that my mess kit had "seen some use, definitely not campaigner level". I meant that the level of use that I've done thus far hasn't been campaigner level, I wasn't implying that the mess kit is not up to campaigner level usage - it probably is, I just haven't used it that much yet - it's not completely black (yet).

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